The Benefits of Working for “The Mouse”

I thoroughly enjoyed my time working at Walt Disney World in Florida. In fact, I’d have to say it was one of the very best jobs I’d ever had. Disney employees are never referred to as employees. Everyone who receives a paycheck from the Disney Company is a Cast Member. Whether you are working behind the scenes or in front of crowds of Disney enthusiasts, you are a cast member. Every person who works for the mouse is there to make your Disney experience the best it can possibly be and chances are, you will only see about 10% of … Continue reading →

Why am I Writing this Disney Blog?

I’m a former employee of Walt Disney World in Florida. After going through the casting process, I found a great job at Walt Disney World’s Central Reservations Office. It wasn’t nearly as glamorous as playing Cinderella in the Magic Kingdom, in fact, it was considered a “backstage” position, but it was a fantastic job nonetheless! Part of my training involved touring all of the resorts/hotels on the Disney property from basic rooms to concierge level suites, exploring the vast and amazing underground and “backstage” areas, and doing considerable “off duty” research on the Walt Disney World Parks. The off duty … Continue reading →

Are You Ready for the Walt Disney World Moms Panel?

If you think you know all there is to know about Walt Disney World, the mouse wants YOU! Walt Disney World is looking for 10-12 moms to be a part of an online forum they plan to launch in January 2008. Those selected will be expected to share their Walt Disney World vacation experiences and their expertise as advisors to those who are new to the Walt Disney World experience and planning their own family vacations to the magical destination. If you think you have what it takes to be an advisor to those embarking on the Disney experience, you … Continue reading →

Walt Disney World Agrees To 3-Year Contract With Union

It looks like a third of Walt Disney World’s workers will keep working as their Union has approved a new three-year contract. The agreement was reached in mid-June and includes an agreement to cooperate on scheduling plans, increases in pay (4 to 5% annually) and an enhanced pension plan. A previous plan, submitted in May, was rejected by the Union because of concerns with health care and raises. Service Trades Council The Service Trades Council represents about 21,000 employees of Walt Disney World. Members of the union include food service, lifeguards, vacation planners, merchandise personnel, janitors and stage technicians. According … Continue reading →

Disney “Dream” Jobs

A couple of days ago, I mentioned that the Career Builder contest that thousands of people entered their videos into presenting themselves in their personal dream roles as Disney Cast Members. The dream jobs these contest entries were competing for included Jungle Cruise skippers, pirates, Haunted Mansion Butlers and Maids; Princesses-in-Waiting and Disney Parks Parade Performers. What Are These Dream Jobs? Do you have a dream job at Disney? I always wanted to be one of the dancers that performed during the stage shoes, myself. But let’s talk a little bit about what each of these dream jobs actually involves … Continue reading →

Dream a Little Dream Job For Me!

When I first heard about this contest on Career Builder, I wasn’t sure that I took it seriously and to the hundreds of entrants who submitted their videos and the almost 1 million votes cast by visitors to contest hosted by Career Builder for the Dream “Job” at Disney – please accept my apologies. From this large pool of entrants, there are 25 finalists on their way to the Disneyland Resort in June. A Haunted Mansion Butler/Maid contestant’s video received almost 50,000 votes and a Princess-in-Waiting video received over 70,000 votes. 70,000 votes. Can you imagine? These contestants were entering … Continue reading →

What Goes on Behind the Scenes at Disney

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a cast member at one of the Disney parks or resorts? Maybe you think this would be an ideal job? Disney employs a great many individuals in various capacities from vendors to characters to performers and much, more. Well, if you’ve ever been curious, there are now resources that will allow you to check out what does go on behind the scene with the hardworking men and women who make up the Disney cast members. We Are Disney is the name of the website and it was launched by … Continue reading →

The Disney Studio Strike, Part 1

In August 1941, Walt described his feelings about the strike that had crippled his Studio for many months, and that was on the verge of being settled. He said “The lies, …half truths that were placed in the public press cannot be easily forgotten. I was called a rat, a yellow-dog employer, and an exploiter of labor. They took the salaries of my messenger boys and claimed them to be the salaries of my artists.” This devastating event came about, ironically, as a result of the Studio’s recent success, and the triumph of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The … Continue reading →

Working for the Mouse

Yes, when you work for Disney, you work for the mouse 😉 That’s what we call it anyhow. Working for Disney can really be a great experience…it’s whatever you make it. If you’re looking for big bucks, and you aren’t “skilled labor” (some sort of professional training or schooling), then look elsewhere. The pay is not great…they don’t hide that. But with SO many employees, it’s not easy to pay them each a LOT. What they lack in pay though, they make up for in perks and benefits. Disney is nearly always hiring. When you are hired on, you are … Continue reading →

How to Get a Job at Disney

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to work at the most magical place on earth? Let me tell you, it is great! Oh, I wasn’t Cinderella or Snow White or anything as glamorous as that. I was simply a faceless, friendly voice on the phone that hundreds of Disney vacationers talked to every week, but it was still a great place to work! One of the things that was great about working at Walt Disney World (we called it working for “the mouse”) was that we weren’t just employees, we were “Cast Members” and that meant that … Continue reading →